Ed Calloway sat under the bright white lights of the NewLease Industries auction room, his fingers gripping the armrests of the sleek black chair. He was 43, out of shape, and worn down by a life that hadn’t turned out the way he’d hoped. A dad bod, thinning hair, and a back that ached in the mornings—none of it mattered now. He had one chance to start over, to trade it all for something new.
The Body Auction was a last resort for people like him. Permanent body swaps weren’t cheap, but the right buyer could cover the costs. Some people sought youth, strength, or beauty. Others, like Ed, just wanted a fresh start. A chance to escape crushing debt and years of disappointment.
The bidding had been lukewarm—middle-aged dad bods weren’t exactly in high demand—but then, a final bid came in. The moment the gavel struck, his old body was no longer his.
It wasn’t until the swap was complete that he learned who had bought him.
Ethan Foster.
His son’s best friend.
When Ed woke up in his new body, the first thing he noticed was power. Strength coiled beneath his skin. Muscles taut, lean, built for movement. His hands were steady, young, unscarred. He bolted upright, overwhelmed by the sheer lightness of this new form.
He stood and faced the mirror. The reflection staring back was almost unrecognizable—early twenties, sculpted physique, dark hair falling in waves over sharp cheekbones. The body belonged to a former athlete, someone who had lived fast and hard.
The door opened, and Ethan stepped inside.
He was still the same—tall, confident, that easy smile he always had when he and Ed’s son, Jamie, would crash on the couch playing video games. But now, there was something else in his expression. Something Ed didn’t recognize.
“You okay?” Ethan asked, his voice steady but searching.
Ed swallowed. “This is… a lot.”
Ethan smiled. “Yeah, it usually is.”
Usually.
That was when Ed realized—Ethan had done this before.
“You’ve swapped bodies before,” Ed said.
Ethan shrugged. “A couple of times. Nothing major. I just… wanted this one.”
Ed’s stomach twisted. He had been so focused on escaping his old life that he hadn’t thought much about who would be living in it now.
“You wanted my old body?” Ed asked, the words strange on his tongue.
Ethan’s smile faltered for a moment before he nodded. “Yeah.”
“Why?”
There was a long pause. Then Ethan exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. “You really don’t get it, do you?” He met Ed’s eyes, and for the first time, there was something raw there. “I’ve had a crush on you for years.”
The words hit Ed like a punch to the gut. His mind reeled. Ethan liked me?
No—Ethan had liked Ed Calloway, the man he used to be.
“This isn’t some weird joke?” Ed asked hesitantly.
Ethan laughed, shaking his head. “Not even close. Look, I know it’s a lot. But I wanted a life where I could be near you. Where I could—” He stopped, choosing his words carefully. “Where I could be myself, without all the baggage.”
Ed’s thoughts swirled, but there was no going back now. The contract was binding. Permanent.
His old body—his old life—now belonged to Ethan. And his new life… well, that was entirely up to him.
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